Paperwork requirements for international flights arriving and departing in the Bahamas are codified in the Statute Law of The Bahamas, chapters 191 (Immigration) and 293 (Customs Management). This page includes those requirements applicable to private aircraft arriving, flying within, and departing the Bahamas. Current laws can be accessed via the Government of the Bahamas on-line legislation website: [[Overview](https://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/)]() # Arriving in the Bahamas ## Ports of Entry Pilots do not need to secure permission to land in the Bahamas. It is generally not required, but good practice to call the Bahamian customs office at the airport of arrival in advance of the flight. The first place of landing must be an authorized port of entry, per CH.191 §20. ![[bahamas ch191 sec20.png]] ![[bahamas port of entry list.png]] ![[bahamas AOE.png]] ## Inward Declaration and Cruising Permit Three copies of the Inward Declaration and Cruising Permit Form C7A are required for private aircraft arriving in the Bahamas. The pilot will retain one stamped copy while flying in the Bahamas. ![[bahamas ch293 sec8.png]] ![[bahamas C7A.png]] The most recent Bahamian customs regulations officially require advance submission of the C7A forms, however, this is rarely enforced in practice. A phone call to the customs office at the airport of arrival should confirm how and when they will accept the C7A forms. ![[bahamas ch293 sec72.png]] ## Immigration Card Per CH.191 §14(2), each person is required to complete a Bahamas Immigration Arrival/Departure Card. ![[bahamas ch191 sec14.png]] ![[bahamas immigration card.png]] # Flying Within the Bahamas Pilots are not required to contact Bahamian customs for flights made within the Bahamas. The stamped Form C7A must be presented to Bahamian customs officials upon request. ![[bahamas ch293 sec78.png]] ![[bahamas C7A cruising highlight.png]] # Departing the Bahamas ## Place of Departure Like arrival, departure from the Bahamas must be made through an airport of entry for customs and immigration processing outward. The stamped Form C7A and immigration cards will be returned to the appropriate officials. ## Outward Declaration Two copies of the General Declaration Form C7 are required for private aircraft departing the Bahamas. One copy will be signed by the customs official, and returned to the pilot as the outward certificate of clearance. ![[bahamas ch293 sec76.png]] ![[bahamas C7.png]] # Fees Customs processing fees, landing fees, ramp and parking fees, and departure taxes will be collected when processing inward and outward. A phone call to the specific customs office at the airport of arrival and departure should confirm which fees and rates will be applied. # Additional Information - **ALWAYS** note the name and/or badge number of the customs officials you interact with; without a paper trail, this may be your only means of proving that the interaction did happen - Be prepared to answer any questions, and produce any documents requested by customs officials during inspection ![[bahamas customs questions and documents.png]] # Resources [[AOPA Bahamas Flying Guide](https://www.eapisfile.com/docs/international/bahamas/aopa%20bahamas%20flying%20guide.pdf)]() [<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pK1DLLybPCc?si=quJ9I9sQuxzX5AuZ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>] # References - [[1969-0047.pdf](https://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/1969/1969-0047/1969-0047.pdf)]() - [[Customs Regulations](https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CustomsRegulations_1.pdf)]() - [[2011-0030.pdf](https://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2011/2011-0030/2011-0030.pdf)]() - [[CD.Bahamas-Customs-Ports-of-Entry.pdf](https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CD.Bahamas-Customs-Ports-of-Entry.pdf)]() - [[The Bahamas Private Pilot Guide - Flying Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.bahamas.com/getting-here/private-aviation/pilot-faqs)]() - [[bahamas-pilot-guide-2018-2019-web.pdf](https://www.banyanair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bahamas-pilot-guide-2018-2019-web.pdf)]() ### By Kevin Sakson